In a landmark moment for Japan’s Imperial Family, Prince Hisahito, the 19-year-old nephew of Emperor Naruhito, officially entered adulthood in a traditional coming-of-age ceremony. The prince, who is second in line to the Chrysanthemum Throne, is the first male member of the Imperial Family to reach this milestone in four decades.
He might also be the last emperor, unless Japan reverses the 1889 law which legally limited succession to males under the prewar Constitution.
The coming of age ceremony, known as Kakan-no-Gi, marks the formal transition of royal princes into adulthood, symbolizing their readiness to take on more responsibilities within the Imperial Household. Prince Hisahito had his ceremony on Saturday.
Dressed in a yellow ceremonial robe, Prince Hisahito was accompanied by his parents, Crown Prince Akishino and Crown Princess Kiko, as well as other members of the Imperial Family. The prince rode in a horse-drawn carriage once used by his father, Crown Prince Akishino, to the Imperial Palace, where he was greeted by Emperor Naruhito, Empress Masako, and other dignitaries.
At the palace, the prince received the black silk and lacquer crown, a symbol of his new responsibilities, before bowing to his parents and pledging to serve his country with dedication. Later, he changed into a black robe worn by adult royals, visited three sacred palace sanctuaries, and was awarded the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum, Japan’s highest honor.
The ceremony marks a significant shift, as Prince Hisahito is the first member of the Imperial Family to reach adulthood under Japan’s revised Civil Code, which lowered the legal age of majority from 20 to 18 in 2022. However, the official ceremony was delayed until the prince turned 19 to avoid interfering with his university entrance exams. Since April, he has been studying biology at the University of Tsukuba, with a particular interest in entomology.
“I am aware of the weight of my responsibilities, and I will devote myself further to my studies while building experience,” Prince Hisahito said after the ceremony.
